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Jar

8th-9th century

North China

Stoneware with glaze

H. 9 3/8 x Diam. 11 in. (23.8 x 27.9 cm)

Asia Society, New York: Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection, 1979.130

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Stonewares covered with black, very dark blue, or dark brown glazes, such as this one, were produced throughout northern China during the Tang period (618-906). Since similar glazes continued to be used for household goods during the Northern Song period (960-1127), stonewares of this type remain difficult to date precisely. The very bulbous body of this wide-mouthed jar that was probably used for storage suggests that it dates to the 8th or 9th century because smaller jars of a similar shape date to the Tang period. In comparison, Song-dynasty examples of this type of jar generally have much straighter sides.